Feminist Theory. Readings by Melissa Harris-Perry and Carolyn West

Choose ONE of the following topics as the basis for a 5-7 page paper, due Monday, March 25 on canvas. Please upload your paper to the “assignment” link on our canvas page and if possible, please also bring hard copy to class on Friday that week.
Using the readings by Melissa Harris-Perry and Carolyn West (on canvas) and other sources of your choosing, discuss the historical origins and contemporary manifestations of one of the "myths" we discussed that are created by intersecting racial and gender-based oppression (for example, "Mammy" "Jezebel," "Sapphire," the "emasculated" Asian man, "Dragon Lady", "Lotus Blossom," the "Domestic Angel" or "Lady Bountiful," etc.) If you wish, choose a film that in your opinion plays upon one of these "myths." Does the film revive the myth or challenge it?
“Intersectionality” refers to the feminist argument that the various forms of privilege and oppression (race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality) are intersecting and mutually reinforcing. Intersectional feminism also assumes that the most effective forms of social protest, whether personal or organized, challenge multiple categories of oppression at once. Choose a film that, in your opinion, has an intersectional point-of-view. How do the categories of oppression intersect in the film? How do the intersecting categories affect the central characters in the film? Is there an intersectional form of protest or resistance? Does the film depict “divide-and-conquer” mechanisms that prevent solidarity between different oppressed groups and/or ways to overcome those divide-and-conquer mechanisms? You are encouraged to choose any film of interest to you, but some possibilities for this assignment might include: “Salt of the Earth” (1954 film about gender roles during a Mexican-American miners strike, filmed by a blacklisted communist director, using a mixture of professional and non-professional actors); “Fast Food Nation” (race, class, gender and agribusiness); “A Raisin in the Sun” (gender, race and economic issues in a 1950s African- American family); “Jungle Fever” (Spike Lee film about an extramarital relationship between a black male architect and an Italian-American secretary in his office).
Choose a film (or documentary) that deals with some form of oppression but does not take an intersectional approach. How does that affect the overall message of the film? Does the film have noticeable blind spots? How would the plot, characters, overall perspective and style of the film change if it adopted an intersectional approach?
For students interested in writing a more personal essay:
Feminist debates about gender roles and women’s subordination are often a spoken or unspoken aspect of the mother-daughter relationship. The anthology, Listen Up, includes a number of autobiographical accounts by young women who learned about the nature of feminist solidarity and how to achieve it through their evolving relationships with their mothers. Re-read one or two of these essays (listed below). Comment on what the essay(s) reveal about mother-daughter relationships in relation to feminism. If you wish, include a discussion of your relationship with your mother.
Essays in Listen Up about the mother-daughter relationship: “Bringing Feminism a la Casa” “Ghosts and Goddesses” “What is Mine”
“Better in the Bahamas” “Immaculate Conception”
Many commentators identify misogyny as a "gateway drug" to extremist hate groups in the US and elsewhere. According to Michael Kimmel, one reason for the rise of such hate groups in the US is that globalization and inequality are creating a volatile anger and sense of "thwarted privilege" in young white men who are not receiving the privileges of status and security to which they have been taught to feel entitled by virtue of their gender as well as their race. Research the role of sexism and misogyny in the ideology of US white supremacist hate groups. To what extent do these groups use a promise of masculine validation--and a return to "traditional" patriarchal norms--as a recruitment tool?
For students interested in global economics; research the impact of globalization on a particular country (for example, Haiti or Jamaica), particularly the gendered effects (effects on such things as gender equality/inequality, gender-based violence, gender-based access to resources and rights, etc.). You are welcome to borrow my copy of “Poto Mitan” (documentary about Haiti) or “Life and Debt” (documentary about Jamaica).
For students interested in the politics of western medicine, write a research paper about the history of “medicalized birth” (hospital birthing practices) in the United States. What beliefs about gender and sexuality are reflected in these birthing practices?
For students interested in culture studies analysis:
Discuss gender role socialization and enforcement in two or more of the following popular culture arenas: clothing, popular music, children’s toys, and video games. How do each of these media contribute to the social construction of “girl/woman” and “boy/man? Here are some suggestions to help you with this assignment:
(a) Clothing analysis: Visit some popular clothing stores for children/teenagers (tell me which ones you visited) and see what is being marketed towards boys and girls. Describe what you found (types of clothing, logos/images, sayings on them, styles, how they promote/restrict activity, colors, price, etc.) and analyze the meaning behind your observations. Discuss what messages are being conveyed about what is important (both by what is present and what is missing) and how these clothing choices influence the construction of “girl” and “boy”.
(b) Audio media: Print the lyrics to a) a popular song that is negative about women and b) a popular song that is positive about women, and tell why you think they fit these categories. Analyze what messages are being sent and the potential meaning /impact of such messages on identity construction (e.g., what are they saying men/women are interested in/ valued for, messages about sexuality, beauty, manliness etc).
c) Video/computers games: how are gender roles constructed in specific games? To what extent are players free to experience a range of gender identities?
(d) Toy Store analysis: Visit a local toy store and describe what you see, e.g., what types of toys, how displayed, how gendered, etc. Discuss how the toys reflect social norms and meanings regarding gender, including aspects such as skills developed, skills avoided, what boys/girls should be interested in, etc.
If there is another relevant issue addressed in readings or class discussions that you would like to write about, that is a possibility, but please discuss it with me in person or by email.